Although the low impact of swimming makes it a perfect choice of sport for avoiding lower-body injuries, the intense involvement of upper-body muscles makes overuse injuries a real possibility. Our orthopedic surgeons and specialists, athletic trainers, and physical and occupational therapists at Houston Methodist offer world-class diagnoses and treatments to help everyone from student athletes to weekend warriors and elite professionals overcome their injury and get back to swimming.

Common Swimming Injuries
The most common swimming-related injury is swimmer's shoulder, which is pain usually caused by rotator cuff tendonitis. Many cases of swimmer's shoulder can be successfully treated through physical therapy. For competitive athletes, rotator cuff surgery may be recommended if shoulder pain continues after six months of guided rest and rehabilitation.

Swimming Safety and Injury Prevention
Swimmers are also prone to injury, but here are valuable tips to keep you safe and healthy.

Learning proper technique goes a long way toward preventing injuries; if you are just starting out, schedule some sessions with a swimming coach.

Remember to warm up and stretch before every swim, giving particular attention to your shoulders.

A strength-training program can help build up the muscles around the shoulder and upper back; ask a physical therapist or personal trainer if you need help creating a routine.

Trust our team of sports injury specialists at Houston Methodist to remove you from the injured list and provide you with the knowledge to help prevent future injuries.